Process for the electrolytic manufacture of compounds containing active oxygen



drogen Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED \STATES PATENT OFFICE oswmmz'sonxnm amen NOAC'K, or wmsnoar, GERMANY, assrenoas so I. G.rmmwmnus'ram mmNoEsEL senarr, or FRANKFOBT-ON-THE-MAIN,

GERMANY PROCESS FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC BE OF COMPOUNDS CONTAINING AGIIVEOXYGEN R0 Drawing. Application filed June 4, 1927, Serial No. 198,629,and in France April 26, 1926.

The present invention relates to a rocess for the electrolyticmanufacture .0 compounds containing active oxygen such as hyperoxide,persulfuric acid, persulfates, percarbonates, etc. I

There are known, up to date, electrolytic processes in which compoundscontaining active oxygen suchas for instance persulfuric acid,persulfates, etc., are formed at the anode. Furthermore it is known thathydrogen peroxide can be obtained at the oathode when introducing oxygeninto the cathode chamber.

Now we have found that it is possible to use in electrolytic processessimultaneously the anode and the cathode for the manufacture ofcompounds containing active oxygen and to produce in the anode chamber acompound of the persulfuric acid,'or of the percarbonic acid,and in thecathode chamber hydrogen peroxide by introducing oxygen. Our new processoffers considerable technical advantages over the processes known. up todate. In particular, the double utilization of the current reduces thecui;rent required for a given quantity of active oxygen to only abouthalf of that hitherto necessary. Ob-

-viously it follows that thereby a given apparatus can be rende' eddoubly eflicientj The process can be; effected at ordinary or increasedpressure and also in a continuous manner.

The following examples will serve to illustrate our invention: I

Example 1.-In the anode chamber of an electrolytic cell, divided by aporous diaphragm, saturated ammonium sulfate is in troduced, and intothe cathode chamber sulfuric acid of 0.5% strength through which avigorous stream of oxygen is passed. If electrolysis is now effectedusing an anode of platinum, a; cathode of amalgamated gold, and an anodecurrent density of 20 amps. per square decimeter and a cathode currentden sity of 0.4 amps. per square decimeter, the potential amounts to 3.7volts. Thereby ammonium persulfate is produced in the anode chamber, andhydrogen peroxide in the cathode chamber.

The efliciencies of the current are the same in the anode or cathodechambers'as in'the manufacture of ammonium persulfate or hydrogenperoxide in separate apparatus, with the result that the quantity ofactive oxygen, which it is possible to produce in such separateapparatus, is obtained with about half the amount of current.

Example 2.-In the anode chamber of an electrolytic cell, divided by aporous diaphragm, sulfuric acid of 50% strength is in-' troduced and inthe cathode chamber sulfuric acid of 0.5% strength through which avigorous stream of ox gen is passed. The anode consists of platinum,thecathode of amalgamated silver. If electrolysis is effected, using ananode current density of 100 amps. per square decimeter and a cathodecurrent density of 0.6 amps. er square decimeter, there is obtained mtheanode chamber persulfuric acid and in the cathode cham-- \ber hydrogenperoxide.

We wish it to be understood that one may use, insteadof the compoundsmentioned, the

equivalents thereof so that at the cathode for instance a percarbonateor ozone is formed.

We claim: v

1. A process for producing compounds containing active oxygen byelectrolysis which comprises subjecting a concentrated solution of acompound capable of forming a compound of a higher degree of oxidationcontaining active oxy en, to anodic electrolysis, and a weaker sou'tlonof' a compound I having the same acid radicle as said formercompound to cathodic electrolysis while assing a, vigorous stream ofoxygen throng the catholyte. p p

2. A process for the electrolytic menu facture of compounds containingactive oxygen comprising the electrolysis of a concen trated solution ofa sulfuric acid compp und in the anode chamber and of a diluted sulfuricacid solution in the cathode chamber, using an anode of platinum, acathode of an amalgamated noble metal, an anodic current density of morethan 10 amps. per square decimeter and cathodic density of less than 1amp. per square decimeter and passing a vigorous stream of oxygenthrough the cathode chamber.

3. A process for the electrolytic manufacture of compounds containingactive oxygen comprising the electrolysis of a saturated ammoniumsulfate solution containing sulfuric acid in the anode chamber and of adiluted sulfuric acid solution of about 0.5% strength in the cathodechamber using an anode of platinum, a cathode of amalgamated gold, ananodic current density of 20 amps. per square decimeter, a cathodiccurrent density of 0.4 amps. per square decimeter and passing a vigorousstream of oz: gen through the solution contained in the cat ode chamber.

In testimony our hands.

OSWIN NITZSCHKE. ERICH N OACK.

whereof we have hereunto set

